Arizona's infamy for creating draconian anti-immigrant legislation was already well established before Senate Bill 1405 was introduced to state lawmakers in January; however, the bill brought the state to a new low.
In the past 10 years, more than 100,000 US children---all of them full-fledged citizens---have suffered the destabilizing effects of losing one or both parents to deportation. According to the American Psychological Association, children who lose a caretaker face notably heightened risk of psychological distress, developmental delay and poor physical health.
In an immigration detention system known for its disregard of even basic needs, Francisco Castaneda's case stands out as a prime example of the US government’s indifference to health and human rights.
In an effort to protect and defend their human rights, dozens of immigration detainees being held in a Basile, LA immigration detention center have engaged in a multi-day hunger strike in protest of inhumane and unsanitary conditions.